Eto’o (L) sacked Marc Brys (R) from his position as coach of Cameroon
Marc Brys has accused Samuel Eto’o of exploiting his renewed mandate at the Cameroonian Football Federation to orchestrate what he calls an “illegal and ridiculous” move to dismiss him as Cameroon’s head coach.
The Belgian technician spoke for the first time since his removal, framing the federation president’s actions as a targeted effort to force him out before the continental tournament.
His comments followed a dramatic announcement by Fecafoot that ended his tenure just 20 days before AFCON 2025 kicks off, deepening tensions between the federation and the Ministry of Sports, whose backing facilitated his appointment earlier this year.
Brys said the timing and manner of his dismissal reinforced his belief that Eto’o had long planned his exit, especially after Cameroon’s World Cup playoff failure last month intensified pressure on the federation leadership.
“Recently, the mandate of the great president Samuel Eto’o was extended for four more years. In fact, there wasn’t even another candidate,” he said.
“In my view, he drew strength from this situation to carry out an illegal and ridiculous coup.”
“He removed all positions at the Ministry of Sports, including the technical staff of the national team, and filled them with people of his choosing. Firing everyone without valid reason seems completely illegal to me.
“You can’t act like this without legitimate grounds. Right before a major tournament for our national team, he appoints people who are not prepared. They’re being thrown to the wolves. This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world.”
Speaking later to VTM, Brys signalled he had accepted the outcome, though he maintained that the environment created by Fecafoot had made the job untenable.
“Samuel Eto’o’s goal has always been to get rid of me. From the very first minute, he insulted me and I responded. I’ve had enough, there’s too much negativity to do a good job.”
His exit ends a turbulent relationship marked by institutional rivalry and public disputes, and hands David Pagou responsibility for guiding the Indomitable Lions at AFCON in Morocco.
